History of Lane Recliners

by: Michael O'Brien

The Lane Furniture Company produces a full line of recliner chairs, having earned a reputation for quality, comfort and styling. A relative newcomer to the recliner market, Lane recliners came about as the result of the Lane Company buying out a small recliner chair manufacturer in Tupelo, Mississippi. Since 1972, Lane has become a major player in the recliner and motion furniture market.

Lane has its roots in the early 20th century when John Edward Lane began producing cedar chests. Located in Virginia, Lane took advantage of hardwoods that grew in abundant around Altavista, a town founded by the Lane family. The Standard Red Cedar Chest Company produced thousands of cedar chests. Though it took several years for quality of chests to improve, the company persevered and the Lane cedar chest eventually became a classic.

In the early 1920’s the Standard Red Cedar Chest Company was renamed to the Lane Company. In a model of modern marketing, the newly renamed company developed a novel way to promote its cedar chests. Through the early 1980’s the company is said to have given away millions of tiny cedar chests to young women graduating from high school. This marketing tool was unique for its day and helped to create the Lane brand. To this day, cedar chests, often referred to as hope chests, are a popular gift the bride and groom to be.

Like many manufacturers, the Lane Company retooled its production operations in order to contribute to the war effort. From plywood to airplane frame components the company diversified its production capabilities. Lane eventually began making other types of wood accent furniture which it continues to produce today. In another innovative move Lane began a program of employee profit sharing, one of the first such programs in the country.

For all of the company’s unique history, Lane is best known for its quality recliners and motion furniture. Several well established recliner manufacturers represented a significant competitive hurdle but Lane has prevailed. Product innovation became a mainstay of Lane’s marketing efforts and the company has responded to the demands of the marketplace. The move toward plus size recliners led to Lane to introduce its Comfort King line of heavy duty recliners. Built with steel seat boxes and drop-in coil seats, these recliners are far from being just oversize recliners. The seat area alone measures four square feet, the largest seating area of any recliner on the market. With the right combination of foam rubber and double stitching at critical points, the Lane heavy duty recliners are at the top of the class in big man recliners.

About the Author

Michael O'Brien is Staff Writer for HeavyDutyRecliners.com